James Copeland

Environment and Land Use Adviser

Working for the NFU since June 2009, James provides specialist advice and guidance on access, infrastructure, utilities, waste, flooding, and environmental markets.

Growing up on an East Yorkshire arable farm, James joined the NFU after eight years of working for Defra’s science agency on both national and European projects.

Charged with developing a strategic overview of environmental and land use policies in the region, he works to ensure policy is sustainable for everyone and rooted in the real-world. He is passionate that agri-businesses are given the opportunity to develop and adapt, and that their operating environment allows this to happen.

James holds multiple positions on stakeholder groups for water, gas, and electrical companies across the North of England along with both formal and informal roles on flood committee.